Transfer Do I need to re pledge or can I still go to chapter

JohnnyD · #1 04-08-2011, 04:01 PM

Hi, so I've already been initiated into a fraternity but because of what I want to be as a profession I need to transfer schools. I'd still like to be apart of the greek system because it's a great way to get to know people in a new school. I've heard the chapter at the one I'm going to is pretty tight to, good guys easy to get along with. My question is if I transfer do I have to re pledge or am I still a member?

MysticCat · #2 04-08-2011, 04:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JohnnyD

Hi, so I've already been initiated into a fraternity but because of what I want to be as a profession I need to transfer schools. I'd still like to be apart of the greek system because it's a great way to get to know people in a new school. I've heard the chapter at the one I'm going to is pretty tight to, good guys easy to get along with. My question is if I transfer do I have to re pledge or am I still a member?

Different orgs have different rules about transferring. In all fraternities with which I'm familiar, once you're initiated, you're an initiated brother wherever you go, so no re-pledging is necessary. But also in most orgs with which I'm familiar, a chapter doesn't have to accept a transfer, but instead votes on whether to allow him affiliate. That's how it works in my fraternity.

Your best bet is to look at your own fraternity's governing documents or check with the proper people in your own fraternity.

sigtau305 · #3 04-08-2011, 04:07 PM

If you were already initiated, then there is no need to repledge. But I have to agree with Mystic. Check your Fraternity's By-laws.

JohnnyD · #4 04-08-2011, 04:10 PM

perfect thanks guys

dnall · #5 04-08-2011, 04:21 PM

Once a member always a member everywhere. You need to start talking to the new chapter as soon as you can so they know you're coming. They may have a process to affiliate. Some orgs it's automatic and some the chapter votes. Your national probably has something you're supposed to do to transfer your membership from one chapter to another, but that's probably not a big deal. Just talk to the guys and you'll figure it out. They are your brothers afterall.

lucgreek · #6 04-08-2011, 05:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dnall

They are your brothers afterall.

This is true, but the OP shouldn't take it personally if they do not allow him to affiliate. Chapters can vary greatly and you might not fit into this one. When I went to our national convention, there were some chapters I know I wouldn't fit into and there were some people who I knew my chapter would have never given a bid to.

xxobrooke · #7 04-08-2011, 09:34 PM

once you are initiated, you don't have to repledge. i transferred into a different chapter of my sorority. you just have to go through nationals to transfer your membership. it wouldn't be fair to have to repledge an organization you already know everything about!

knight_shadow · #8 04-08-2011, 09:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by xxobrooke

once you are initiated, you don't have to repledge. i transferred into a different chapter of my sorority. you just have to go through nationals to transfer your membership. it wouldn't be fair to have to repledge an organization you already know everything about!

That may have worked for you in your organization, but it is not necessarily the case across all GLOs.

DeltaBetaBaby · #9 04-08-2011, 10:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by knight_shadow

That may have worked for you in your organization, but it is not necessarily the case across all GLOs.

Really? I would be seriously angry if I went from being initiated to, well, not being initiated.

knight_shadow · #10 04-08-2011, 10:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DeltaBetaBaby

Really? I would be seriously angry if I went from being initiated to, well, not being initiated.

As stated earlier...

Quote:

Originally Posted by MysticCat

But also in most orgs with which I'm familiar, a chapter doesn't have to accept a transfer, but instead votes on whether to allow him affiliate.

The poster that I quoted said that you just call nationals to "transfer your membership." Like I said, that's not always the case.

MysticCat · #11 04-08-2011, 10:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DeltaBetaBaby

Really? I would be seriously angry if I went from being initiated to, well, not being initiated.

What he means may not be the case in all GLOs is this part:

Quote:

Originally Posted by xxobrooke

you just have to go through nationals to transfer your membership.

As I said earlier, in many GLOs there may well be more to it because the "new" chapter may have to vote to allow you to affiliate.

This has been discussed at GC many times, so I feel fairly confident in saying that in many GLOs, as in mine, when you leave the school at which you were initiated, you become an alumnus/a. You may seek to affiliate with the chapter of your org at you new school, but they may or may not accept you. If they accept you, you become a member of that chapter. If they don't (or if you choose not to affiliate), you remain an alumnus/a.

That's why he needs to check the rules in his org or talk to people in his org -- how other fraternities and sororities do things isn't relevant to how his fraternity does things.

ETA: Cross-posted with k_s.

DeltaBetaBaby · #12 04-09-2011, 09:41 AM

Right, right, obviously there are many things between "just call nationals" and "you go back to being a pledge".

JohnnyD · #13 04-09-2011, 07:30 PM

guys guys, this post is getting way to blown up. I just wanted to know if I had to go through pledge ship again. If that was the case I don't think I'd associate myself with the greek life at my new school. It sounds like I won't have to do that, however if I'm allowed to join the other chapter seems like they'll have to vote but for our pledge ship we did have to go to the university I'm transferring to and do something but I can't really get into it.

knight_shadow · #14 04-09-2011, 07:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JohnnyD

guys guys, this post is getting way to blown up. I just wanted to know if I had to go through pledge ship again. If that was the case I don't think I'd associate myself with the greek life at my new school. It sounds like I won't have to do that, however if I'm allowed to join the other chapter seems like they'll have to vote but for our pledge ship we did have to go to the university I'm transferring to and do something but I can't really get into it.

So you got your answer based on the posts in this thread?

That means it wasn't "way too blown up"

Good luck.

aephi alum · #15 04-09-2011, 08:26 PM

Once you are a fully initiated member, you are a fully initiated member. What happens when you transfer depends on (a) your fraternity and (b) the specific chapter at the school you're transferring to.

Call your national HQ. We're a bunch of strangers on the internet who don't even know which fraternity you're in. Your national officers are your brothers and can give you far better advice.